SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- As the Pritzker Administration looks to loosen COVID restrictions a year into the pandemic, his top doctor warns masks aren’t going away.
Currently, Illinois is in Phase 4 of the Governor's Restore Illinois plan. Phase 5, which allows the state to fully reopen, requires a widely available vaccine or highly effective treatment for coronavirus.
But now, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said there may be another step added to the state's five-phase reopening plan that could be announced "later this week."
During a state Senate Health Committee hearing Monday, Sen. Terri Bryant, a Republican from Murphysboro, asked Dr. Ezike when restrictions on gatherings would be lifted given the availability on coronavirus vaccines.
“I think we’re getting close,” Dr. Ezike said.
But, Dr. Ezike said the state needs the majority of seniors vaccinated, as well as a continued drop in COVID-related deaths.
Additionally, Dr. Ezike believes "masks have to continue to be a mainstay.”
A spokeswoman with Governor Pritzker said they have been talking with industry and health experts about holding conventions, festivals, and other large events and hope to have an announcement soon.
Related
On Monday, the IDPH reported 782 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, including 12 additional deaths.
As of Sunday night, 1,112 individuals in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 227 patients were in the ICU and 95 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.